9 models • DW 06 to DW 15 • Power-up and free-fall
Muir Drum Winches
comparison.
Every drum winch we sell, side by side. Rated boat length, working load, motor, and the figure buyers ask about most: how much rope and chain each drum actually holds, in metres and feet.
Five power-up-and-down models and four free-fall twins, covering boats from a 4 m tinnie to a 14 m launch. Every unit ships from our Melbourne warehouse as an authorised Muir dealer.
The 30-second answer
Pick by boat length, check the drum.
Rated boat length gets you to the right model. Drum capacity tells you whether your rode fits. If you land near the top of a band, buy the next size up.
Full specification
Muir Drum Winches Comparison: Every Model Side by Side
Working load is the figure to compare for pull. Drum capacity is the figure to compare for whether your rode fits. Free-fall (DFF) twins use the same drum as their DW model, so capacity is identical.
| Specification | DW 06 | DW 08 | DW 10 | DW 12 | DW 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boat length, up to | 23 ft (7 m) | 26 ft (8 m) | 33 ft (10 m) | 39 ft (12 m) | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Drum capacity | 50 m (164 ft) of 6 mm rope + 5 m (16 ft) of 6 mm chain | 100 m (328 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope + 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain | 120 m (394 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope + 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain | 120 m (394 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope + 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain | 120 m (394 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope + 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain |
| Working load | 88 lb (40 kg) | 132 lb (60 kg) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 229 lb (104 kg) | 287 lb (130 kg) |
| Max load | 265 lb (120 kg) | 397 lb (180 kg) | 575 lb (260 kg) | 688 lb (312 kg) | 860 lb (390 kg) |
| Line speed | 108 ft/min (33 m/min) | 108 ft/min (33 m/min) | 108 ft/min (33 m/min) | 108 ft/min (33 m/min) | 82 ft/min (25 m/min) |
| Motor | 550 W | 800 W | 1200 W | 1500 W | 1700 W |
| Voltage | 12 V only | 12 V or 24 V | 12 V or 24 V or 48 V | 12 V or 24 V or 48 V | 12 V or 24 V or 48 V |
| Solenoid | 2-pole | 2-pole | 3-pole | 3-pole | 3-pole |
| Circuit breaker in the kit | 80 A | 80 A / 100 A | 100 A / 80 A | 150 A / 100 A | 185 A / 90 A |
| Standard package | |||||
| Combo package winch + spliced rode | |||||
| Free-fall version same drum, same capacity |
Drum capacity
How to read the capacity line.
Two options, not a total
From the DW 08 up, each drum is rated all-rope at 6 mm, or 8 mm rope with 5 m of 8 mm chain spliced on. You run one or the other. The DW 06 has a single rating.
What it holds, not what ships
The Standard package arrives with an empty drum. The Combo adds a spliced rode, listed on each product page, which is not always the drum's full capacity.
Free-fall twins hold the same
The DFF 08, 10, 12 and 15 use the same drum as the DW 08, 10, 12 and 15. Capacity, rope size and chain size are identical. You pay extra for the drop.
Depth picks the model too
Anchoring in 30 m at 3:1 scope needs 90 m of rode, which every model from the DW 08 up covers on 6 mm rope. Work out your usual depth before you pick by boat length.
Not sure which model?
Send us your boat length, the depth you usually anchor in, the rode you carry and your system voltage. We will tell you which drum winch to buy and what it needs to run properly.
FAQ
Drum Winch Capacity FAQs
How much rope and chain does a Muir DW 08 hold?
The DW 08 drum holds 100 m (328 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope plus 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain. The DFF 08 free-fall version uses the same drum and holds the same.
How much rope does a DW 06 hold?
The DW 06 holds 50 m (164 ft) of 6 mm rope plus 5 m (16 ft) of 6 mm chain. It is the only model in the range with a single capacity rating rather than a rope-only and a rope-plus-chain option.
What is the drum capacity of the DW 10, DW 12 and DW 15?
All three share the same drum: 120 m (394 ft) of 6 mm rope, or 80 m (262 ft) of 8 mm rope plus 5 m (16 ft) of 8 mm chain. The DFF 10, DFF 12 and DFF 15 hold the same. The models differ in pull, motor and rated boat length, not in how much rode they carry.
Does the DFF 08 hold the same rope and chain as the DW 08?
Yes. Every DFF model uses the same drum as its DW twin, so capacity is identical. The DFF adds mechanical free-fall, so the anchor drops under gravity rather than being driven down. Retrieval is powered and identical on both.
Which Muir drum winch do I need for a 25 ft boat?
The DW 08, rated to 26 ft. A 25-footer sits in the last few feet of that band, so if you carry heavy ground tackle or anchor in deep water, look at the DW 10 instead. It holds 20 m more 6 mm rope and pulls 45 percent harder.
Is max load the number I should compare?
No. Muir calculates max load as three times working load, so it carries no information of its own. Compare working load: 88, 132, 192, 229 and 287 lb across the range.
Can I run a Muir drum winch on 24 V?
Every model except the DW 06 can be ordered as 12 V or 24 V. The DW 06 is 12 V only.
Do you ship Muir drum winches to the USA?
Yes. Every order ships from Melbourne, Australia, priced in USD with duties and taxes included at checkout, so there is nothing to pay on delivery. Orders over $300 ship free, which covers every drum winch on this page.
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